5 million more tourists in five years - SA Tourism

Cape Town - South African Tourism will be hosting Indaba 2017 from May 16 to 18 at the Durban ICC.

SA Tourism CEO Sisa Ntshona told Fin24 that the annual indaba is its flagship event that showcases SA's capabilities and competencies. It showcases a wide spectrum of the local tourism industry, including tour operators, travel agencies and hotels.

"Big operators from all over the world are invited to package South Africa for our target markets. We have a clear plan to bring an additional five million tourists to SA over the next five years," said Ntshona.

Target markets include the US, Europe, Asia and India - where SA Tourism has seen the highest level of growth - as well as new and emerging markets like the Middle East.

"Last year was a good year for tourism in South Africa - based on the bad 2015 due to the world thinking ebola affected the whole of Africa as well as confusion about SA's visa requirements," said Ntshona.

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He regards the indaba also as a pan African event where the tourism industries from other parts of the continent find a place as well.

"We in Africa need to collaborate to compete in the world. We must profile the continent as well as the individual countries," said Ntshona.

"SA is fortunate to offer a diversity of experiences. Part of SA Tourism's agenda is looking at the geographic spread. Although the Western Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal are the main tourism areas, we want to spread it across the board. That is why it is very important for the different provinces to show their unique aspects and value propositions at the indaba."

He pointed out that tourism plays a very important role in the SA economy.

"Especially since the slowdown in the mining and manufacturing sectors, tourism is expected to be a lever for economic opportunities," said Ntshona.

"Even this doom and gloom about the S&P downgrade and the 'rand tanking' brings opportunity for tourism to contribute more. We bring hard currency because of international tourists."